Daily Itinerary

Day 1Wednesday, May 8 - Depart USA for Egypt

Day 2Thursday, May 9 - Arrive in Cairo

Arrive in Cairo and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3Friday, May 10 - Nile Cruise Embarkation / Aswan

Fly from Cairo to Aswan and embark on your Nile cruise ship. This afternoon you will view the Elephantine Island by Felucca and visit the Agha Khan Moslem. Next, visit the High Dam, one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the twentieth century. It was constructed to replace the old Aswan dam built in 1902. The 3600 meter long dam was constructed to protect Egypt from the floods as well as provide irrigation and electricity to its citizens. Visit, Philae Temple, the Temple of Isis - one of the greatest Temples in Egypt occupying a quarter of the island. Your cruise ship overnights in Aswan.

Day 4Saturday, May 11 – Kom-Ombo

Sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Kom-Ombo Temple. Built on a hillside, this temple was constructed in the Ptolemaic Roman era for the worship of the gods Haroeris and Sobek. It is noted for the relief engravings on its walls which show ancient surgical tools, bone saws and dentistry tools. Nearby, view the three mummified crocodiles in Hathor's chapel. Continue to Edfu to dock for the night.

Day 5Sunday, May 12 - Edfu

Visit the Edfu Temple on the west bank of the Nile. Dating to the Ptolemaic period, the temple was dedicated to the worship of god Horus represented as a falcon. It is one of the most beautiful Egyptian temples, distinguished by its huge splendid
structure blending Pharaonic and Greek architecture. Sail to Esna, enjoying afternoon tea before heading toward Luxor. Dinner & overnight onboard.

Day 6Monday, May 13 - The East & West Bank

This morning, visit the Valley of the Kings. Tombs were constructed here for the kings and powerful nobles of Egypt for nearly 500 years. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (modern Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. Visit the Luxor Temple and Colossi of Memnon, made of sandstone brought from Gabal El Silselah. Each colossus, including the pedestal and the crown, is about 21m tall and represents King Amenhotep III. See the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of only a handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs. Continue to the Karnak Temple including the Avenue of Sphinxes, Unfinished Propylon, Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Tutomosis III, the temple of Amon, the Granite Scarbeus and the Sacred Lake. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo where you will check back into your Cairo for dinner and overnight.

Day 7Tuesday, May 14 - Ancient Egypt

Today, visit the famous Pyramids of Giza, constructed over 1,000 years before the birth of Moses. See the Great Sphinx and have the opportunity to ride a camel in the desert near the Pyramids. Continue to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt dating from 3,100 BC, and the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Proceed to its necropolis of Sakkara where you will see the world-famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known of Egypt’s 107 pyramids and the world’s first freestanding stone. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Day 8Wednesday, May 15 - Ancient Egypt

This morning your Egyptologist will escort you on a tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which includes the world-famous golden treasures from King Tutankhamun ‘s tomb. Next, visit the Hanging church in old Cairo which is named for its location above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortressthe Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo). After that visit of the monastery & church of St. George which is a Greek Orthodox church in Coptic Cairo. The church dates back to the 10th century. Then we visit the citadel of Saladin and Alabaster mosque. After that, continue to visit Khan El-Khalili bazaar where you can stroll through the bustling Khan El-Khalili bazaar; founded in the 14th century as a watering stop for caravans, it is now reputedly the largest bazaar in the Middle East.